Wisdom – the ability to see the big picture – is a quality that helps us experience life to the fullest. Through prayer, reflection and action we can open our hearts to this gift of the Holy Spirit and offer our lives for one another.
Trust is an essential ingredient in our relationships, and Jesus reveals two key concepts that help us become more trustworthy with the Lord and one another.
A lazy steward is praised by Jesus. Why? Because he worked hard and made sacrifices, reminding us that sometimes we can be more eager about earthly things than eternal ones. May we hustle and work hard for the praise of God in Heaven.
Ezekiel and the Psalmist show how the temple is a source of living water that brings forth life; Jesus speaks of his own body as a temple, and as his followers we discover that we are built upon Christ as the great foundation. May we work together to continue to proclaim the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth as we serve the Church which Christ founded.
Paul reminds us in the Letter to the Romans that the commandment to love our neighbor both sums up and fulfills the law. Now all we have to do is live it each and every day.
St. Paul teaches that we are part of the Body of Christ, and as members of this body we work with and for one another. What’s more, Jesus explains in a parable that the Kingdom of Heaven is open to many that society might not recognize as belonging to this body.
Both the prophet Malachi and Jesus exhort the people to take to heart God’s commands. As we Listen, Learn and Live we grow as disciples; may we draw near to the Lord, the Church and one another…listening for the wisdom that will help us put our faith into practice.
As the Lord observes people positioning themselves for places of honor at a banquet, he uses the opportunity to teach about pride and humility, inviting us to avoid making comparisons and seeking a simple approach.
(Note: there are many choices for today; this link offers a few options.)
Today we pray for all who have died, sometimes still grieving their loss, and sometimes smiling as their memory warms our hearts. What’s more, our prayers are part of the communion we share in Jesus Christ, and we offer them for those who have gone before us…that they might meet us one day in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen